Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Kraków guide (licensed since 2012) who leads tours on both classic routes and lesser-known corners of the city. Thanks to many years of experience and a personal storytelling approach, each tour combines solid facts with accessible anecdotes — the perfect mix for people who want to understand the city, not just see it.
Her “Wawel and the Royal Route” focuses on Kraków’s most important historical points: Wawel, the city’s representative axis and favourite parts of the Old Town. The guide is also authorized to lead in selected museums and sites (including Wawel Hill, the Rynek Underground, Schindler’s Factory, and the Pharmacy Under the Eagle), which makes planning visits that include indoor entrances much easier.
Choosing a tour with Małgorzata gives you more than facts — you get cultural context and practical tips (where to take the best photos, how to avoid queues, what to eat along the way). She guides groups in Polish and English and her approach is family-friendly, suitable for school groups and individual visitors.
The route centers on the axis known as the Royal Route and includes places that define Kraków’s history: the Royal Castle on Wawel with the Cathedral, parts of the Old Market, representative townhouses and the main gates and monuments along the royal processional way.
Main stops on the tour include:
- Wawel: the history of the castle and cathedral, the tombs of kings, legendary tales about the dragon, architecture and symbolism of the site.
- The Royal Route: the path that connects Wawel with the Main Market Square — a commentary on the sequence of monuments, palaces and former seats of power.
- The Main Market Square and its immediate surroundings: sacred and secular threads, and how everyday city life has looked through the centuries.
- Small but important stops: gates, townhouses with interesting stories, and places tied to former city customs.
Depending on the group’s interests, the guide can add a short story about the Kazimierz district or point out memorial sites and lesser-known architectural details that visitors often overlook.
The standard tour lasts about 4 hours — enough time to walk the route at a relaxed pace, talk about the main monuments and stop for brief photo breaks.
Sample meeting order:
- Meeting and a short introduction on Wawel Hill with an overview of the most important points of the Castle and Cathedral.
- A walk along the Royal Route with commentary on townhouses, palaces and historical events connected to the royal processions.
- A stop at the Main Market Square: a story about the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and local legends.
- Conclusion with practical tips (where to eat, how to continue exploring, best photo spots).
The route is flexible and adjusted to the group’s rhythm — if someone prefers more sacred history, urban stories or photography tips, the guide modifies the plan in real time.
Duration: usually 4 hours, though shorter variants (2–3 hours) are available for people with limited time.
Languages: tours are offered in Polish and English; on request the guide adjusts pace and vocabulary to the group.
Entrances and tickets: some interiors (e.g., exhibition halls, the cathedral, special displays) require separate tickets. The guide can advise which tickets are worth buying in advance and how to save time at entrances.
Booking: it’s easiest to arrange a tour directly through ZwiedzanieKrakowa or by contacting by phone at +48 501 962 037 or by email at kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. It’s wise to book in advance, especially during the high season.
Prices: rates depend on the tour length and format and on any paid entrances. The standard four-hour tour for a group has a set fee — confirm details and current offers at booking.
Clothes and footwear: comfortable shoes are essential — cobbled streets and small inclines are the norm. Dress in layers depending on the weather to stay comfortable while walking.
Weather and plan B: in case of rain part of the stories can be moved indoors or the route shortened so the most important places are still covered. The guide will suggest how to adapt the plan if temperature or precipitation makes a long walk difficult.
Photos and photo spots: the best light is usually in the morning and late afternoon. The guide will point out places where you can avoid the crowds and get nice shots.
Accessibility: if anyone has limited mobility, please mention it when booking — the route can be adapted to reduce stairs and long climbs.
Kazimierz and the area around the Market Square are full of culinary life — after an intensive tour it’s worth relaxing over a good meal. A few tried-and-true addresses:
- Starka (Kazimierz) — traditional Polish cuisine and a homely atmosphere; a good place to eat after exploring the district.
- Hamsa (ul. Szeroka) — Mediterranean and Israeli-influenced dishes, a pleasant atmosphere and tasty small plates.
- Plac Nowy 1 — a casual spot and social hub if you prefer something less formal and quick snacks.
There are also many cafés toward the Planty belt ideal for coffee after the tour — a great moment to ask the guide a few more questions and collect recommendations for the coming days.
Is the tour suitable for children? - Yes. Małgorzata knows how to tell stories in a way that’s accessible to younger participants and to adjust the tour’s pace. For families with small children it’s worth booking a shorter variant or scheduling breaks.
Do we need to buy tickets in advance? - For a general walk around Wawel and the Royal Route tickets aren’t always required, but if you plan to enter specific exhibitions or interiors with limited capacity, buying tickets beforehand will save time.
How far in advance should we book? - In the tourist season (spring–autumn) it’s best to book several days or preferably several weeks ahead. Outside peak weeks you can often find available slots closer to your visit date.
Does the guide help organize museum entrances? - Yes, the guide knows procedures and can advise which tickets to buy in advance and how to plan visits to avoid queues.
Plan with flow: if you have only one day in Kraków, choose one calm, well-prepared route rather than rushing from point to point. The “Wawel and the Royal Route” gives a solid foundation for further exploration of the city.
Headsets for groups: if your group is large, consider renting headset sets — they help everyone hear the guide’s commentary clearly in crowds.
Respect memorial sites: the route includes places connected to tragedy and remembrance. The guide will suggest how to behave respectfully and what to notice to understand the historical context.
Booking is simple — contact by phone at +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. When booking, please provide: the date and time, an approximate number of participants, the preferred language and any special needs (e.g., limited mobility, specific interests).
After confirmation the guide will send practical information: the meeting point, an outline of the route and tips about any tickets. This is a good time to ask for a slightly adapted itinerary for your group or to plan additional stops.
We wish you a great visit — may your walk along Wawel and the Royal Route with Małgorzata Kasprowicz be the start of a wonderful Kraków adventure!
